NFR wireless noise canceling headphones recommendations

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clarkman

clarkman

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I'm in need of full headphones that have noise canceling capabilities. I'm after something closer to the mid price-point. That'll probably rule out most Bose and Sony, but I may be open to that as well. I'm thinking of something in the Beats range, which get good reviews but would like to hear other folks experience with them (and Bose and Sony). These are mainly for work when I'm on-site and mostly drowning out other people's conversations when we have a lot of people on site. I'm going for the head phone vs ear buds because I want that full ear coverage but also signify to others that I am indeed not wanting to be bothered unless it's absolutely necessary.

Any other brands I should take a look at?
 
I've been happy with Soundcore's products for the last couple years including noise cancelling ear buds and over ear headphones.
 
I have Pixel bud pro 2 ear buds and Sonos Ace. They both have ANC. I haven't used other brands but my experience with both is that they do a great job at cancelling out everything except voices. Voices will definitely be suppressed but not disappear like a lot of other noises. My understanding is that is common with most ANC headphones. Hopefully someone has some experience with some other models that can provide some input as well!
 
ffb said:
I have Pixel bud pro 2 ear buds and Sonos Ace. They both have ANC. I haven't used other brands but my experience with both is that they do a great job at cancelling out everything except voices. Voices will definitely be suppressed but not disappear like a lot of other noises. My understanding is that is common with most ANC headphones. Hopefully someone has some experience with some other models that can provide some input as well!
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Yeah, that's the issue I have with my pixel buds, which are great, don't get me wrong, I just want a little bit more for certain situations.
 
Spfd Jason said:
I've been happy with Soundcore's products for the last couple years including noise cancelling ear buds and over ear headphones.
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I'll second the recommendation for Soundcore. I've been using their Q20+ over ear headphones for 3 years. Let's a cranky old guy get an afternoon nap even with infill construction going on a couple of doors down. I usually use Pixel Buds when listening to music.
 
I realize that this was a bit of a last minute (or second) type of deal, but I drove down to BestBuy and ended up with the Beats model I was considering, especially after wearing them compared to several other models mentioned (and several not). So far so good. I tested on my wife where I clicked on the "noise canceling" part compared to a couple of the other settings....it's perfect. Maybe too much so!
 
clarkman said:
I realize that this was a bit of a last minute (or second) type of deal, but I drove down to BestBuy and ended up with the Beats model I was considering, especially after wearing them compared to several other models mentioned (and several not). So far so good. I tested on my wife where I clicked on the "noise canceling" part compared to a couple of the other settings....it's perfect. Maybe too much so!
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I would now recommend hiding the rolling pin…
You’ll Thank me later for this tip. 😉
 
I own far too many headphones.

(Prices based on today, which happens to be a "Prime Day Sale" at Amazon/BestBuy/etc for some things. YMMV)

Sony WH-1000XM6 ($425) is generally considered to have the best noise cancelling currently on the market for over the ear headphones. However, they are also quite expensive. The previous generation(s) WH-1000XM5 ($298) and WH-1000XM4 ($188) are cheaper options. I own both of those versions (bought one, gifted one I couldn't return) and the noise cancelling is quite solid. Honestly, the WH-1000XM4 gets a lot of high marks from reviewers even today. And at under $200, it might be better than most (all?) other headphones in that price range.

For more budget choices, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 ($90) gets good reviews and their Soundcore Life Q30 ($54) is supposed to be decent as well, though with noticeably lower build quality than the Q45 (which itself is fine, but not premium). The Soundcore noise canceling isn't going to top Sony/Bose/Apple, but it's solid for the price.

While I enjoy the isolation that you get with over the ear headphones, I find myself using earbuds more often just for easier movement and less sweaty ears. There's also some debate around if the "seal" that earbuds make in your ears assist in blocking more ambient noise than over the ear styles. The Apple Airpods Pro 3 ($250) are supposed to have perhaps the best noise cancelling in earbuds, though there aren't many independent reviews out yet as they were just recently released. If you aren't in the iPhone world, the Sony WF-1000XM5 ($230) are close to the Airpods Pro performance. As with over the ear headphones, Anker's Soundcore Space A40 ($45) offers a budget option. For fitness activities, I have used the Beats Fit Pro (~$150), which has recently been replaced with the only slightly improved Powerbeats Fit ($200). That said, the Beats noise cancelling doesn't win any awards. They just stay in my ears well with their "winged" eartip design.

ffb said:
they do a great job at cancelling out everything except voices. Voices will definitely be suppressed but not disappear like a lot of other noises. My understanding is that is common with most ANC headphones.
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This is accurate in my experience. Though the higher end brands do a better job with the inconsistent sounds like voices, they simply can't cancel it as well as they can cancel constant "droning" noises (airplane, HVAC, etc). Humans talking are too random and unpredictable.
 
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Random thought that doesn't really answer @clarkman's question, but I didn't really have anywhere else to post...

I recently picked up a set of the new-ish Airpods 4 Noise Reduction (currently on sale ~$120) earbuds. While their semi-in-ear design isn't going to cancel noise like over the ear or true in-ear choices, I've actually been surprised at how well their noise canceling tech cuts out the standard droning type sounds. And for me, I have situations where it's nice to press pause on music and still be able to have a conversation. Or, to turn the noise canceling off and have music playing at a lower volume while still being aware of my surroundings.

Now, they don't feel super stable in my ears. So I don't think I'd go running with them or do jumping jacks. But for an Apple/iOS integrated, compact easy on/off, with a decent bit of noise canceling headphone choice, I'm pretty happy with them.

But like I say, I have way too many pairs of headphones. There are three sets on the desk in front of me at the moment, not counting the Airpods in my ears. And this isn't my primary work desk...

Edit: However, I'm not sure that I'd be interested in these Airpods 4's if I had to pay their ~$170 list price. There are a number of other good options when you start getting up towards that ~175-200 price range. Would depend on how important the semi-in-ear + Apple ecosystem aspect was to me.
 
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